Does the current Structured Self Development course system efficiently promote Professional development?

When was the last time, or has SSD EVER been updated?  How does it stay current with accurate information?  How does it adapt to change?

The purpose behind SSD is a good idea with bridging the gap between NCOES courses. Unfortunately, it doesn't do that at all. The course work you learn in SSD is not applicable at the next level of NCOES and frankly is far more technical than the audience learning the material needs to be at. It's application and horrible page load outs leave me feeling as if I just suffered a fatality in mortal combat. The real idea behind SSD should have been to complete common core requirements so that when the leader arrived at their next NCOES they could focus purely on MOS specific training at the next higher grade not their current grade. 

While everyhting in the world is slowly being automated and computer generated I cannot stress enought that you just cant replace what NEEDS to be taught in-house (WLC, ALC, SLC, unit ran leadership courses and so on). How do you expect soldiers to learn anything when you put it on a disk/computer box them in a corner and tell them to do it or dont expect a promotion. Its going to get to a point where theses courses will be treated like the 50 million other mandatory training classes we have to do......blow through the slides, check the block and charlie mike until next time around.

Honestly, I don't mind it. I actually did SSD I while I was attending WLC before it was required. It went over the same curriculum as WLC and that helped me make Commandant's list. I have already completed SSD 3 before they started the auto enroll. It was good learning what it had to offer, even though I am going to learn it again in NCOES. Even if it will be gone over again, I know it will be in the back of my mind so when that NCOES comes up, it will be like a refresher. It's good for Soldiers to know but I don't feel like it should be required as it is going to be taught again in school. I feel like it should be an option if that soldier feels like taking the initiative.

Forced completion of SSDs in one of my pet peeves. It's called Structured SELF Development. That being said, I encourage Soldiers to take care of business and I counsel them on the downline effects of either completing or not completing the SSDs. If they ask for advice or help I am more than happy to provide it. And of course try to work in time/resources for those who do want to complete it, without sacrificing mission. But if they don't complete an SSD course they can't complain when they aren't able to go to WLC or be considered for promotion.

If a Soldier doesn't have the drive to develop themselves, especially when they know it is what is needed to progress, they might not be mature enough at that point in time for the next level of leadership and responsibility.

I would rather have someone who was motivated enough to do what was needed for promotion than someone who is simply eligible because they were forced to do the requirement. It's like any of the other items that gain promotion points, they know what they need to do to be the cream of the crop and they get after it.

Absolutely not.

It is not the place for command teams to "force" their Soldiers to complete the course. It is a personal responsibility incumbent upon the Soldier to complete the course if he/she wants to be competitive for promotion. If the Soldier doesn't want to complete it then they don't want promotion period. I will caveat this by saying that command teams need to foster an environment which would enable the Soldier to complete the course and encourage subordinates to take those steps. People oftentimes confuse the necessity to motivate. I fear that the only reason why people are being forced is because the completion rates are reflected on NCO/OERs. Do they sincerely care if the Soldier completes SSD and is more knowledgable or simply that it's done so they don't get it reflected negatively on their evaluations? I won't force my Soldiers to do anything, but remind them of the potential effects, consequences, and ramifications should they make certain choices contrary to the counsel I provide them.

SSD means Structured Self Development. I think SSD1 should be "forced", but after that it should fall on the individual.

Well I don't think it should be forced to complete. I will say that when I was a company 1SG the SSD was still a self enrollment deal. I talked to my whole company and expressed the importance of it.  I did make every single Soldier in my company enroll for the appropriate level SSD that applied to them. I myself also completed SSD1,3 and 4 to show them that I was not above my own rule. I started an incentive program and had the Soldiers that wanted to participate give their completion status to their PSG by 1300 on Friday (or last day of the work week), the PSG would determine the highest level of completion for his platoon and bring that to me. I went over those submitted by the PSGs and whoever in the company completed the most for the week, would get Friday off the next week. My commander was in full support and added that we should give them a 4 day weekend once they completed that full course. Soldiers are motivated by free time and this also set them up for success once they were ready to make that next promotion step in their career.

In my previous unit, it came down the chain of command that the CSM had made it mandatory to complete SSD1. If it wasn't not completed by a set date, the CSM said the soldiers who had not completed it would be subject to UCMJ. Is this really allowed? I also agree with what SGT Keen had stated. The command group must be willing to give up the time in the training schedule to complete it. However, no time was given to complete SSD1.

I think the Commanders constantly get nagged about not having soldiers 100% on school stuff to include SSD. So in order to get the monkey off their backs they put it on the Soldiers.

I think Soldiers should get at least an hour a day to work on it, that's what my current command does anyway. And while it may not be important to the Soldier at the time they may discover down range that they want to continue on and are going to be delayed in that until the work is done. I know it's time consuming and I question whether I really learned anything from it, but the Army says I need to do it so it is done.

I would agree that commanders should put some sort spotlight on this.  But at the same time, if it is that important to them that the Soldiers complete it; then the command group must be willing to give up the time in the training schedule to complete it.  

SSD has its pro's and con's for me I did learn some new things; along with how to do a few things I thought I knew better. It also had some lessons in their that we as leaders use on a day to day bases. However every leader is different and the lessons I believe could be removed another leader could say they needed that lesson.

I think SSDs are the greatest military course ever!!!!!

One disappointment?  You get all of this information from the SSDs, but there is no way to reference it. Once you graduate, you're locked out.  It'd be great for graduates to still have a Quick Reference link.

Personally, I think for the lower echelons it is a good tool. I'm speaking only from my experience, but I think the higher levels are a bit common sensical. I was super motivated before it was blocked, thus allowing me to complete through SSD IV. As a lowly SGT, I did learn a little bit, but most of it was common knowledge. I also think it may be better if it were a continued thing rather than a one time completion. This day in age, so much is changing that I'm sure the SSD IV would be much more evolved and relevant in the future. I would actually be ok with it being something done every other year or so. I also feel that initially, so much emphasis should not be placed on it. I could be a dirtbag that completed it and thus have an advantage over a better leader that did not. The modules contained were not make or break. I do feel that SSD I should still be required to be promoted to SGT, though.

I think SSD is beneficial towards NCO development.  I finished up SSD3 last summer, and I learned a few things from it.  I did get frustrated with technical problems using the website, as I had to repeat a few lessons because it crashed.  Overall, it was a good experience though and I did feel it helped me out.

MSG Kepler,

SSD is a good tool to bridge the gap, or in layman's term, continually educate oneself, on NCOES topics...you keep learning.

Because it's 'forced', Soldiers will (and have) initially rebel; that's just human nature.  Over the next year or so, SSD will improve (content and connectivity) and Soldiers will get into the routine...all will be right in the world.